Method for inducing antigen specific cd8 positive t cells

ABSTRACT

Provided is a method for inducing CD4 − CD8 +  T cells having an antigen specific cytotoxic activity from pluripotent stem cells, comprising the steps of: (1) differentiating pluripotent stem cells to give a cell culture comprising CD4 − CD8 −  T cells and CD4 + CD8 +  T cells, (2) removing CD4 − CD8 −  cells from the cell culture obtained in step (1), and (3) differentiating the CD4 + CD8 +  cells in the cell culture into CD4 − CD8 +  T cells.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/092,411, filed Oct. 9, 2018, which is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 filing ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/JP2017/015358, filed Apr. 14,2017, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2016-082410, filed Apr. 15, 2016, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

ART RELATED

The present application relates to a method for inducing CD4⁻CD8⁺ Tcells from pluripotent stem cells.

BACKGROUND ART

Each T cell expresses a T cell receptor (TCR) with differentspecificity. When an infectious disease develops, a T cell having asuitable specificity will proliferate to give a T cell population(clone) that will fight with the pathogen. This is the basic idea of theacquired immunity. If it is possible to artificially amplify a T cellwith a desired specificity, the amplified T cells may be used for theadoptive immunotherapy. The amplification of a given T cell is referredto as “cloning”. In fact, autologous transplantation of antigen specificT cells prepared by amplifying the antigen specific T cell obtained fromthe patient has been clinically conducted. However, almost allautologous T cell transplantation therapies do not use a cell populationpurified to the extent of “cloned” cells. In addition, repeated in vitrosub-culturing of the cells might cause loss of the function to kill thecancer cells.

A method for providing T cells that are capable of infinitelyproliferate by immortalizing the cells has been proposed. A cell may beimmortalized and proliferated to give a cloned cell population.Procedures to immortalize a cell may include fusion of the cell with acancer cell as well as long term culture of the cells with stimulatingTCR under the presence of cytokines. However, auto-transplantation ofthus obtained immortalized T cells may be dangerous because the cellsare so to speak cancer cells. In addition, the cloning procedures couldlower the cell functions.

A method for generating pluripotent stem cells, especially iPS cells,bearing genes encoding a TCR specific for a given antigen, and a methodfor re-generating T cells bearing the TCR from the iPS cells have beenreported (See Patent Literatures 1-7 and Non-Patent Literatures 1-6).Based on those methods, a large amount of T cells bearing genes encodinga specific TCR can be prepared. Those T cells are expected to be appliedfor cell-based immunotherapies.

For example, iPS cells can be induced from cytotoxic T lymphocytes andthen, cytotoxic T lymphocytes can be re-generated from the iPS cells. Upto now, however, there is no report that the re-generated CTLs havingcytotoxic activities comparative to the original CTLs from which the iPScells were induced could be obtained.

CTLs generated in the living body are CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells and the CD8molecule is a CD8αβ heterodimer. CD8αα T cells are T cells of “innateimmune type”, and do not have sufficient binding affinity to MHC class Imolecules and have weak function as a co-receptor of T cell receptor(TCR). CD8αα type T cells are rarely contained in lymphoid tissues, andthey are commonly found in mucosal tissues.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

-   [Patent Literature 1] WO2011/096482-   [Patent Literature 2] WO2013/176197-   [Patent Literature 3] WO2015/099134-   [Patent Literature 4] WO2016/010148-   [Patent Literature 5] WO2016/010153-   [Patent Literature 6] WO2011/096482-   [Patent Literature 7] WO2011/096482

Non Patent Document

-   [Non-Patent Literature 1] Vizcardo, R., Masuda, K., Yamada, D.,    Ikawa, T., Shimizu, K., Fujii, S., Koseki, H., and Kawamoto, H.    (2013). Regeneration of human tumor antigen-specific T cells from    iPSCs derived from mature CD8(+) T cells. Cell Stem Cell 12, 31-36.-   [Non-Patent Literature 2] Nishimura, T., Kaneko, S.,    Kawana-Tachikawa, A., Tajima, Y., Goto, H., Zhu, D.,    Nakayama-Hosoya, K., Iriguchi, S., Uemura, Y., Shimizu, T., et al.    (2013). Generation of rejuvenated antigen-specific T cells by    reprogramming to pluripotency and redifferentiation. Cell Stem Cell    12, 114-126.-   [Non-Patent Literature 3] Wakao, H., Yoshikiyo, K., Koshimizu, U.,    Furukawa, T., Enomoto, K., Matsunaga, T., Tanaka, T., Yasutomi, Y.,    Yamada, T., Minakami, H., et al. (2013). Expansion of functional    human mucosal-associated invariant T cells via reprogramming to    pluripotency and redifferentiation. Cell Stem Cell 12, 546-558.-   [Non-Patent Literature 4] Themeli, M., Kloss, C. C., Ciriello, G.,    Fedorov, V. D., Perna, F., Gonen, M., and Sadelain, M. (2013).    Generation of tumor-targeted human T lymphocytes from induced    pluripotent stem cells for cancer therapy. Nat Biotechnol 31,    928-933.-   [Non-Patent Literature 5] Ando, M., Nishimura, T., Yamazaki, S.,    Yamaguchi, T., Kawana-Tachikawa, A., Hayama, T., Nakauchi, Y., Ando,    J., Ota, Y., Takahashi, S., et al. (2015). A Safeguard System for    Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Rejuvenated T Cell Therapy.    Stem Cell Reports 5, 597-608.-   [Non-Patent Literature 6] Kitayama, S., Zhang, R., Liu, T. Y., Ueda,    N., Iriguchi, S., Yasui, Y., Kawai, Y., Tatsumi, M., Hirai, N.,    Mizoro, Y., et al. (2016). Cellular Adjuvant Properties, Direct    Cytotoxicity of Re-generated Va24 Invariant NKT-like Cells from    Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 6, 213-227.

The prior art documents listed above are herein incorporated byreference.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect, an object of the present application is to provide amethod for generating CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells from pluripotent stem cells. Morespecifically, an object of the present application is to provide amethod for generating CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells having a desired antigen specificcytotoxic activity from pluripotent stem cells. Hereinafter, “CD8Tcells” represents CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells. In another aspect, an object of thepresent application is to provide a population of CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cellssharing the same antigen specificity and having a relatively highantigen specific cytotoxic activity.

In one aspect of the present application, provided is a method forpreparing CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells, comprising the steps of:

(1) preparing a cell culture comprising CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells and CD4+CD8⁺ Tcells by differentiating pluripotent stem cells,

(2) removing the CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells from the cell culture obtained in step(1), and

(3) differentiating the CD4+CD8⁺ T cells in the cell culture obtained instep (2) into CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells.

In another aspect, provided is a method for preparing CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells,comprising the steps of:

(1) preparing a cell culture comprising CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells and CD4+CD8⁺ Tcells by differentiating pluripotent stem cells, and

(2) differentiating the CD4+CD8⁺ T cells in the cell culture obtained in(1) into CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells under the presence of an agent that suppressthe cytotoxic activity of the CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells.

In the method of the present application, examples of pluripotent stemcells may include those having receptors specific for the desiredantigen, for example, those having the rearranged T cell receptor (TCR)and the rearranged chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cellsinduced from pluripotent stem cells bearing a rearranged TCR by themethod according to this application exert antigen-specific cytotoxicactivity with the same antigen specificity as the original TCR. TheCD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells induced from pluripotent stem cells bearing arearranged CAR are same as in the case of TCR.

Examples of pluripotent stem cells may also include those not having TCRand CAR. When they are used, CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells exerting antigen-specificcytotoxic activity bearing the desired antigen specificity can beobtained by introducing the desired TCR in the CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells inducedfrom the pluripotent stem cells by a known method.

By the method of the present application, a cell culture wherein 80% ormore, 85% or more, 90% or more or 95% more of the cells in the cultureare CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells sharing the same antigen specificity, especiallythe same TCR gene, can be prepared. The present application alsoprovides thus obtained cell culture.

In another aspect, the present application provides a cell-basedimmunotherapy which comprises administering the antigen specificCD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells obtained by the method provided by this application tothe subject in need of the therapy.

According to the present application, a cell culture comprising CD4⁻CD8⁺T cells having a desired antigen specificity and relatively strongantigen-specific cytotoxic activity can be prepared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a result of FACS analysis of a cell culture on day 35 ofthe conventional differentiation of LMP2 T-iPS cells into T cells.

FIG. 2 shows a result of FACS analysis of a cell culture obtained byincubating the cells of FIG. 1 under the stimulation of anti-CD3antibody for 6 days.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the peptide-specific cytotoxic activity of theCTLs from which the LMP2-T-iPS cells were established.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the peptide-specific cytotoxic activity of theCD8SP cells re-differentiated from the LMP2-T-iPS cells by theconventional procedure.

FIG. 5 is a graph that compares the peptide specific cytotoxicactivities of the CD8SP cells (re-generated CTLs) that were re-generatedfrom the LMP2-T-iPS cells by the conventional procedure and of theoriginal CTLs from which the LMP2-T-iPS cells were established.

FIG. 6 shows natural killer cell-like activities of the CD8SP cells(re-generated CTLs) that were re-generated from LMP2-T-iPS cells by theconventional procedure.

FIG. 7 shows procedure of Example 1 for differentiating pluripotent stemcells into T cells.

FIG. 8 shows a result of FACS analysis of the cell culture on day 13 ofthe differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into T cells in Example 1.

FIG. 9 shows a result of FACS analysis of the cell cultures on day 40 ofthe differentiation from pluripotent stem cells into T cells in Example1, before and after the enrichment of the DP cells.

FIG. 10 shows a result of FACS analysis of the CD8SP cells induced bystimulating cell culture enriched for DP cells with anti-CD3 antibody.The cell culture in Example 1 was enriched for DP cells on day 40 of thedifferentiation before the stimulation by anti-CD3 antibody. The cellswere LMP2 antigen specific and CD8αβ type T cells.

FIG. 11 shows a result of FACS analysis of the CD8SP cells in FIG. 10further proliferated in the presence of the LMP2 antigen pulsed antigenpresenting cells (APC).

FIG. 12 shows cell growth curve of the CD8SP cells in FIG. 10 furtherproliferated in the presence of the LMP2 antigen pulsed antigenpresenting cells (APC).

FIG. 13 (left) is a graph showing the peptide specific cytotoxicactivity of the re-generated CD8SP cells (re-generated CD8αβ cells). Theright figure is a graph in which the peptide specific cytotoxicactivities of the original CTLs from which the LMP2-T-iPS cells weregenerated and the re-generated CD8SP cells are compared.

FIG. 14 are graphs showing the percentages of the viable cells among theDP cells after the incubation (upper) and before the incubation (lower).On day 40 of the differentiation of the iPS cells into T cells, T cellswere divided into DP cells and DN cells. Then, DP cells and DN cellswere mixed so that the DP:DN ratio was 1:0, 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3, and themixed cells were incubated in the presence of anti-CD3 antibody for 5hours.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the WT1 peptide specific cytotoxic activityof the CD8SP cells induced from WT1-T-iPS cells according to theprocedures shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing WT1-peptide specific cytotoxic activities ofthe CD8SP cells induced from WT1-T-iPS cells according to the proceduresshown in FIG. 7 and those the original CTLs from which the WT1-T-iPScells were established.

FIG. 17 shows cytotoxic activities of the CD8SP cells induced fromWT1-T-iPS cells according to the procedures shown in FIG. 7 againstendogenous WT1 protein bearing human leukemia cell line HL60 and THP1.When the target cell's HLA was blocked by an anti-HLA-1 antibody, thecytotoxic activities almost disappeared. Accordingly, the cytotoxicactivity of the CD8SP cells was confirmed to be TCR-restricted.

FIG. 18 shows cytotoxic activities of CD8SP cells re-generated fromWT1-T-iPS cells according to the procedures shown in FIG. 7 againstleukemia cells derived from a patient who is bearing endogenous WT1protein. The cytotoxic activities against the three types of endogenousWT1 protein bearing-leukemia cells were blocked by anti HLA-1 inhibitingantibody.

FIG. 19 is an administration schedule of the WT1 specific CD8SP cells(re-generated CTL cells) that were differentiated from WT1-T-iPS cellsaccording to the procedure shown in FIG. 7 to the immuno-deficient mouseinoculated with human acute myeloid leukemia cells in Example 5.

FIG. 20 shows FACS analysis of the peripheral blood obtained from themouse inoculated with human acute myeloid leukemia cells, afteradministered with PBS/re-generated CTLs in Example 5.

FIG. 21 is a survival curve of the mice inoculated with human acutemyeloid leukemia cells and administered with PBS/re-generated CTLs inExample 5. The re-generated CTLs extended the survival period of themice.

FIG. 22 shows a cell culture on day 40 of the differentiation fromTCR-iPS cells into T cells in Example 6.

FIG. 23 is a result of FACS analysis of the CD8SP cells induced bystimulating cell culture enriched for DP cells with anti-CD3 antibody.The cell culture in Example 6 was enriched for DP cells on day 40 of thedifferentiation. Then, the cell culture was stimulated by anti-CD3antibody. The cells were specific for the WT1 antigen and were CD8αβtype T cells.

FIG. 24 shows cytotoxic activities of regenerated CTLs induced fromTCR-iPS cells obtained in Example 6 and regenerated CTLs induced fromT-iPS cells obtained in Example 2. Both of them exerted similar CTLactivities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the specification and claims, the expression of “pluripotent stemcells” refers to stem cells having pluripotency, i.e. an ability todifferentiate into many types of cells in the body, and self-propagationability. Examples of pluripotent stem cells may include embryonic stemcells (ES cells), nuclear transfer embryonic stem cells (ntES cells),embryonic germ cells (EG cells), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPScells), cultured fibroblasts and pluripotent cells derived from myeloidstem cells (Muse cells). Pluripotent stem cells are preferably mammaliancells and more preferably, human pluripotent stem cells, such as humanES cells and iPS cells. For creating a cell bank for the cell-basedimmunotherapy from human donors having specific HLAs, iPS cells arepreferably used.

In the specification and claims, “T cells” refer to cells expressingreceptors for antigens called as T cell receptor (TCR).

In the specification and claims, all of “CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells”, “doublepositive T cells” and “DP cells” represent CD4-positive CD8-positive Tcells. All of “CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells”, “double negative T cells” and “DNcells” represent CD4-negative CD8-negative T cells. Unless otherwiseindicated, “CD8T cells” include both CD8αα homodimers and CD84heterodimer. “TCR” means a T cell receptor. “CTL” means cytotoxic Tlymphocyte.

T cells bearing a rearranged TCR with the desired antigen specificitymay be obtained by establishing iPS cells from a T cell bearing therearranged TCR which is specific for the desired antigen. The fact thata rearranged TCR of a T cell is maintained in iPS cells established fromthe T cell has been reported. See WO2011/096482 and Vizcardo et al.,Cell Stem Cell 12, 31-36 2013, which is herein incorporated byreference. T cells used as origin for iPS cells may preferably be Tcells expressing at least one of CD4 and CD8, in addition to CD3.Examples of preferable human T cells my include helper/regulatory Tcells that are CD4 positive cells; cytotoxic T cells that are CD8positive cells; naive T cells that are CD45RA⁺CD62L⁺ cells; centralmemory T cells that are CD45RA⁻CD62L⁺ cells, effector memory T cellsthat are CD45RA⁻CD62L⁻ cells and terminal effector T cells that areCD45RA⁺CD62L⁻ cells. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are preferably used.

Human T cells can be isolated from a human tissue by known procedures.The human tissue is not limited in particular, as long as the tissuecontains T cells of the above-mentioned type, and examples thereof mayinclude peripheral blood, lymph node, bone marrow, thymus, spleen,umbilical cord blood, and a lesion site tissue. Among these, peripheralblood and umbilical cord blood are preferable since they can be derivedless invasively from the human body and can be prepared with ease. Knownprocedures for isolating human T cells include, for example, flowcytometry using an antibody directing to cell surface markers, such asCD3, and a cell sorter. Alternatively, desired T cells can be isolatedby detecting the secretion of a cytokine or the expression of afunctional molecule as an indicator. In this case, for example, T cellssecrete different cytokines, depending on whether they are of the Th1 orTh2 type, and thus T cells of a desired Th type can be isolated byselecting T cells using the cytokine as an indicator. Similarly,cytotoxic (killer) T cells can be isolated using the secretion orproduction of granzyme, perforin, or the like as an indicator.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for a cancer or infectiousdisease-associating antigen may be isolated from an individual who issuffered from said cancer or infectious disease or an individual who hadpreviously been suffered from the cancer or infectious disease, and thecells may be proliferated. The antigen specific cytotoxic T lymphocytesmay also be induced from cells obtained from a healthy volunteer.

Human T cells specific for a given antigen may be isolated from cellculture or tissue containing the antigen specific T cells with anaffinity column immobilized with the desired antigen. Alternatively,tetramer of an antigen-bound major histocompatibility complex (MHC) maybe used to isolate human T cells specific for the desired antigenspecificity from human tissues.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for a given antigen may be induced bystimulating lymphocytes obtained from a human by a conventionalprocedure with the antigen or an epitope peptide thereof. Variousantigen proteins or their epitope peptides specific for various diseasessuch as cancer, autoimmune disease or infectious disease have been knownto the art. A suitable antigen or epitope peptide may be selected. Themethod for inducing CTLs by stimulating lymphocytes with an antigen hasbeen well known to the art.

T cells having desired antigen specificity may also include CAR-T cellsthat are T cells bearing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) obtained bymeans of gene engineering. CAR-T cells may be generated according topublished procedures: Themeli, M. et al., Nat Biotechnol 31, 928-933(2013) and Themeli, M. et al., Cell Stem Cell 16, 357-366 (2015), whichare herein incorporated by reference.

iPS cells may be induced from thus obtained T cells specific for adesired antigen. The procedure for inducing pluripotent stem cells fromT cells may be those taught by Vizcardo et al., Cell Stem Cell 12, 31-362013. For example, T cells specific for a given antigen may be obtainedfrom an individual who had acquired immunity against the disease to betreated and the Yamanaka factors may be introduced to the T cells togive iPS cells (Takahashi and Yamanaka, Cell 126, 663-673 (2006),Takahashi et al., Cell 131, 861-872(2007) and Grskovic et al., Nat. Rev.Drug Dscov. 10,915-929 (2011). The documents cited in this paragraph areherein incorporated by reference. [0027]

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be prepared by introducingspecific reprogramming factors to somatic cells. iPS cells are somaticcell-derived artificial stem cells having properties almost equivalentto those of ES cells (K. Takahashi and S. Yamanaka (2006) Cell,126:663-676; K. Takahashi et al. (2007), Cell, 131:861-872; J. Yu et al.(2007), Science, 318:1917-1920; Nakagawa, M. et al., Nat. Biotechnol.26:101-106(2008); and WO 2007/069666). The reprogramming factors may beconstituted by genes or gene products thereof, or non-coding RNAs, whichare expressed specifically in ES cells; or genes or gene productsthereof, non-coding RNAs or low molecular weight compounds, which playimportant roles in maintenance of the undifferentiated state of EScells. Examples of genes included in the reprogramming factors includeOct3/4, Sox2, Sox1, Sox3, Sox15, Sox17, Klf4, Klf2, c-Myc, N-Myc, L-Myc,Nanog, Lin28, Fbx15, ERas, ECAT15-2, Tell, beta-catenin, Lin28b, Sall1,Sa114, Esrrb, Nr5a2, Tbx3 and Glisl, and these reprogramming factors maybe used either individually or in combination. Examples of thecombination of the reprogramming factors include those described inWO2007/069666; WO2008/118820; WO2009/007852; WO2009/032194;WO2009/058413; WO2009/057831; WO2009/075119; WO2009/079007;WO2009/091659; WO2009/101084; WO2009/101407; WO2009/102983;WO2009/114949; WO2009/117439; WO2009/126250; WO2009/126251;WO2009/126655; WO2009/157593; WO2010/009015; WO2010/033906;WO2010/033920; WO2010/042800; WO2010/050626; WO 2010/056831;WO2010/068955; WO2010/098419; WO2010/102267; WO 2010/111409; WO2010/111422; WO2010/115050; WO2010/124290; WO2010/147395; WO2010/147612;Huangfu D, et al. (2008), Nat. Biotechnol., 26: 795-797; Shi Y, et al.(2008), Cell Stem Cell, 2: 525-528; Eminli S, et al. (2008), Stem Cells.26:2467-2474; Huangfu D, et al. (2008), Nat Biotechnol. 26: 1269-1275;Shi Y, et al. (2008), Cell Stem Cell, 3, 568-574; Zhao Y, et al. (2008),Cell Stem Cell, 3:475-479; Marson A, (2008), Cell Stem Cell, 3, 132-135;Feng B, et al. (2009), Nat Cell Biol. 11:197-203; R. L. Judson et al.(2009), Nat. Biotech., 27:459-461; Lyssiotis C A, et al. (2009), ProcNatl Acad Sci USA. 106:8912-8917; Kim J B, et al. (2009), Nature.461:649-643; Ichida J K, et al. (2009), Cell Stem Cell. 5:491-503; HengJ C, et al. (2010), Cell Stem Cell. 6: 167-74; Han J, et al. (2010),Nature. 463:1096-100; Mali P, et al. (2010), Stem Cells. 28:713-720, andMaekawa M, et al. (2011), Nature. 474:225-9. The documents cited in thisparagraph are herein incorporated by reference.

The reprogramming factors may be contacted with or introduced into thesomatic cells by a known procedure suitable for the type of the factorsto be used.

In the case where the reprogramming factors are protein, thereprogramming factors may be introduced into somatic cells by a methodsuch as lipofection, fusion with a cell-permeable peptide (e.g.,HIV-derived TAT or polyarginine), or microinjection.

In the case where the reprogramming factors are DNAs, the reprogrammingfactors may be introduced into somatic cells by means of a vector suchas virus, plasmid and artificial chromosome vectors; lipofection; use ofliposome; or microinjection. Examples of the virus vector includeretrovirus vectors, lentivirus vectors (these are described in Cell,126, pp. 663-676, 2006; Cell, 131, pp. 861-872, 2007; and Science, 318,pp. 1917-1920, 2007), adenovirus vectors (Science, 322, 945-949, 2008),adeno-associated virus vectors and Sendai virus vectors (WO2010/008054). Examples of the artificial chromosome vector include humanartificial chromosome (HAC), yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), andbacterial artificial chromosome (BAC and PAC). Examples of the plasmidwhich may be used include plasmids for mammalian cells (Science,322:949-953, 2008). The vector may contain a regulatory sequence(s) suchas a promoter, enhancer, ribosome binding sequence, terminator and/orpolyadenylation site to enable expression of the nuclear reprogrammingfactors; and, as required, a sequence of a selection marker such as adrug resistance gene (e.g., kanamycin-resistant gene,ampicillin-resistant gene or puromycin-resistant gene), thymidine kinasegene or diphtheria toxin gene; a gene sequence of a reporter such as thegreen-fluorescent protein (GFP), β-glucuronidase (GUS) or FLAG. Further,in order to remove, after introduction of the gene into the somaticcells and expression of the same, the genes encoding the reprogrammingfactors, or both the promoter(s) and the genes encoding thereprogramming factors linked thereto, the vector may have LoxP sequencesupstream and downstream of these sequences. The documents cited in thisparagraph are herein incorporated by reference.

Further, in the case where the reprogramming factors are RNAs, eachreprogramming factor may be introduced into somatic cells by lipofectionor microinjection, and an RNA into which 5-methylcytidine andpseudouridine (TriLink Biotechnologies) were incorporated may be used inorder to suppress degradation (Warren L, (2010) Cell Stem Cell.7:618-630). The documents cited in this paragraph are hereinincorporated by reference.

Examples of the medium for inducing iPS cells include DMEM, DMEM/F12 andDME media supplemented with 10 to 15% FBS (these media may furthercontain LIF, penicillin/streptomycin, puromycin, L-glutamine,non-essential amino acids, β-mercaptoethanol and/or the like, asappropriate); and commercially available media [for example, medium forculturing mouse ES cells (TX-WES medium, Thromb-X), medium for culturingprimate ES cells (medium for primate ES/iPS cells, ReproCELL) andserum-free medium (mTeSR, Stemcell Technology)].

Examples of the method to induce iPS cells include a method whereinsomatic cells and reprogramming factors are brought into contact witheach other at 37° C. in the presence of 5% C0₂ on DMEM or DMEM/F12medium supplemented with 10% FBS, and the cells are cultured for about 4to 7 days, followed by plating the cells on feeder cells (e.g.,mitomycin C-treated STO cells or SNL cells) and starting culture in abFGF-containing medium for primate ES cells about 10 days after thecontact between the somatic cells and the reprogramming factors, therebyallowing ES-like colonies to appear about 30 to about 45 days after thecontact, or later.

Alternatively, the cells may be contacted with the reprogramming factorsand cultured at 37° C. in a 5% C0₂ atmosphere on feeder cells (e.g.,mitomycin C-treated STO cells or SNL cells) in DMEM medium supplementedwith 10% FBS (this medium may further contain LIF,penicillin/streptomycin, puromycin, L-glutamine, non-essential aminoacids, β-mercaptoethanol and the like, as appropriate) for about 25 toabout 30 days or longer, thereby allowing ES-like colonies to appear.Preferred examples of the culture method include a method wherein thesomatic cells themselves to be reprogrammed are used instead of thefeeder cells (Takahashi K, et al. (2009), PLoS One. 4:e8067 orWO2010/137746), and a method wherein an extracellular matrix (e.g.,Laminin-5 (WO2009/123349), Laminin-5 (WO2009/123349), Laminin-10(US2008/0213885) or its fragment (WO2011/043405) or Matrigel (BD)) isused instead. The documents cited in this paragraph are hereinincorporated by reference.

Other examples include a method wherein the iPS cells are establishedusing a serum-free medium (Sun N, et al. (2009), Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.106: 15720-15725). Further, in order to enhance the establishmentefficiency, iPS cells may be established under low oxygen conditions (atan oxygen concentration of 0.1% to 15%) (Yoshida Y, et al. (2009), CellStem Cell. 5:237-241 or WO2010/013845). The contents of the documentscited in this paragraph are herein incorporated by reference.

Examples of factors used for enhancing the establishment efficiency mayinclude histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors [e.g., low-molecularinhibitors such as valproic acid (VPA), trichostatin A, sodium butyrate,MC 1293, and M344, nucleic acid-based expression inhibitors such assiRNAs and shRNAs against HDAC (e.g., HDAC1 siRNA Smartpool®(Millipore), HuSH 29mer shRNA Constructs against HDAC1 (OriGene) and thelike), and the like], MEK inhibitor (e.g., PD184352, PD98059, U0126,SL327 and PD0325901), Glycogen synthase kinase-3 inhibitor (e.g., Bioand CHIR99021), DNA methyl transferase inhibitors (e.g., 5-azacytidine),histone methyl transferase inhibitors [for example, low-molecularinhibitors such as BIX-01294, and nucleic acid-based expressioninhibitors such as siRNAs and shRNAs against Suv39h1, Suv39h2, SetDB1and G9a], L-channel calcium agonist (for example, Bayk8644), butyricacid, TGF inhibitor or ALK5 inhibitor (e.g., LY364947, SB431542, 616453and A-83-01), p53 inhibitor (for example, siRNA and shRNA against p53),ARID3A inhibitor (e.g., siRNA and shRNA against ARID3A), miRNA such asmiR-291-3p, miR-294, miR-295, mir-302 and the like, Wnt Signaling (forexample, soluble Wnt3a), neuropeptide Y, prostaglandins (e.g.,prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin J2), hTERT, SV40LT, UTF1, IRX6,GLIS1, PITX2, DMRTB1 and the like. Upon establishing iPS cells, a mediumadded with the factor for enhancing the establishment efficiency may beused.

During the culture, the medium may be replaced with the fresh mediumonce every day from Day 2 of the culture. The number of somatic cellsused for nuclear reprogramming is not restricted, and usually within therange of about 5×10³ to about 5×10⁶ cells per 100 cm² area on theculture plate.

iPS cells may be selected based on the shape of each formed colony. Inthe cases where a drug resistance gene is introduced as a marker genesuch that the drug resistance gene is expressed in conjunction with agene that is expressed when a somatic cell was reprogrammed (e.g.,Oct3/4 or Nanog), the established iPS cells can be selected by culturingthe cells in a medium containing the corresponding drug (selectionmedium). Further, iPS cells can be selected by observation under afluorescence microscope in the cases where the marker gene is the geneof a fluorescent protein. Thus induced iPS cells (T-iPS cells) beargenes encoding the T cell receptor (TCR) derived from the original Tcell from which the iPS cells were induced.

In another embodiment according to this application, TCR genes specificfor a desired antigen may be introduced into pluripotent stem cells togive pluripotent stem cells bearing genes encoding a T cell receptorspecific for the desired antigen.

Cancer specific TCRs relating to various cancers have been reported. TCRgenes may be isolated from T cells specific for a given antigen isolatedfrom a patient having the cancer or induced from a healthy volunteer.TCR genes specific for a given antigen may include chimeric antigenreceptor genes specific for the antigen.

The genes encoding a TCR specific for a desired antigen may beintroduced into pluripotent stem cells such as iPS cells. For example,this procedure may be conducted as taught by Morgan R. A. et al,Science, 314:126. 2006. In particular, a suitable vector bearing the TCRgenes may be introduced into the iPS cells. For example, TCR genes maybe introduced by a vector such as virus, plasmid and artificialchromosome vectors; or by means of lipofection, liposome ormicroinjection. Examples of the virus vectors include retrovirusvectors, lentivirus vectors, adenovirus vectors, adeno-associated virusvectors and Sendai virus vectors. Examples of the artificial chromosomevector include human artificial chromosome (HAC), yeast artificialchromosome (YAC), and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC and PAC).Examples of the plasmid which may be used include plasmids for mammaliancells. The vector may include a regulatory sequence(s) such as apromoter, enhancer, ribosome binding sequence, terminator and/orpolyadenylation site to enable expression of the TCR genes. If desired,the vector may also contain a selection marker such as a drug resistancegene (e.g., kanamycin-resistant gene, ampicillin-resistant gene orpuromycin-resistant gene), thymidine kinase gene or diphtheria toxingene; and a reporter such as the green-fluorescent protein (GFP),β-glucuronidase (GUS) or FLAG.

In the method of the present application, pluripotent stem cells may beiPS cells induced from somatic cells other than T cells, or ES cells. Inthe specification and claims, the expression of “somatic cells” refersto any animal cells that are not germ-line cells or pluripotent cellssuch as a sperms, spermatocytes, ova, oocytes and ES cells. Somaticcells may preferably be mammalian cells including human cells. Examplesof somatic cells may include fetal somatic cells, neonatal somaticcells, and somatic cells of mature healthy individuals or individualswith disease. In particular, examples of somatic cells may includedifferentiated cells, for example tissue stem cells (i.e. somatic stemcells) such as neural stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymalstem cells and dental pulp stem cells, tissue progenitor cells,lymphocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, muscle cells,fibroblasts such as skin cells, hair cells, hepatocytes, gastric mucosacells, enterocytes, splenocytes, pancreatic cells such as exocrinepancreatic cells, brain cells, lung cells and adipocytes. iPS cells maybe induced from somatic cells by a method similar to the above methodfor inducing iPS cells from T cells.

The pluripotent stem cells bearing the genes encoding the desired TCRare differentiated into T cell population comprising DP cells and DNcells. The procedure for differentiating pluripotent stem cells into Tcells may be that taught by Timmermans et al., Journal of Immunology,2009, 182: 6879-6888, which is herein incorporated by reference.

In one embodiment, the pluripotent stem cells are co-cultured in withOP9 stromal cells, for example with a culture of mouse OP9 stromal cellsto give hematopoietic progenitor cells. The obtained hematopoieticprogenitor cells are then co-cultured with OP9/DLL1 cells. Uponco-culturing with OP9/DLL1 cells, the cell culture medium may besupplemented with IL-7, F1T-3L and SCF (Stem Cell Factor). When thepluripotent stem cells are differentiated by this procedure, a cellculture comprising both DN cells and DP cells can be obtained.

The inventors have found that when a cell mixture comprising DN cellsand DP cells are stimulated with an anti CD3 antibody, DN cells kill DPcells. Accordingly, in the following step, the DN cells are removed fromthe cell culture. DN cells removed-cell culture may comprisesubstantially no DN cells and preferably, no more than 5%, no more than3%, and especially less than 1% of DN cells. The step for removing DNcells from the cell culture comprising both DN and DP cells may be“enrichment of DP cells” and the DN cells-removed cell culture may bereferred to as “enriched DP cell culture”.

During the differentiation procedure from the pluripotent stem cellsinto T cells, the cell culture comprising DN cells and DP cells may alsocomprise CD8SP cells. The CD8SP cells may be CD8αα homodimer type Tcells and therefore, CD8SP cells, especially CD8αα homodimer type Tcells, are preferably removed simultaneously with removing the DN cells.The procedures for removing both DN cells and CD8SP cells are notlimited. In one embodiment, DN cells and CD8SP cells can be removed bycollecting CD4 positive cells by using a substrate to which anti CD4antibody is attached, such as MACS beads. Further, CD8αα homodimer typeT cells can be removed by collecting CD8SPαβ heterodimer type T cells byusing a substrate to which CD8β is attached, such as MACS beads. Inanother embodiment, DN cells may be removed by collecting DN cells byusing cell sorter to give a cell culture containing substantially no DNcells. Alternatively, a cell culture comprising substantially no DN cellor CD8SP cell may be prepared by collecting DP cells by means of a sellsorter. Further, a cell culture comprising substantially no CD8SPααhomodimer type T cells may be prepared by collecting CD8SPαβ heterodimertype T cells by means of a sell sorter.

The cells in the enriched DP cell culture are then differentiated intoCD8SP cells. DP cells may be differentiated into CD8SP cells by directlyactivating any one of the activation pathways which occur uponstimulation of the T cell receptor. For example, T cells may beactivated by adding PMA and Ionomysin, in a manner similar to TCRstimulation. Examples of procedures to stimulate TCR may includeincubating DP cells in the presence of an anti-CD3 antibody. The culturemedium may be supplemented with IL-7 and IL-2 in addition to theanti-CD3 antibody. The time period for culturing the cells in theculture medium comprising anti-CD3 antibody may be 3-10 days, forexample 4-8 days or about 6 days.

When a DP cell culture is established from pluripotent stem cellsbearing a receptor, for example a TCR, specific for the desired antigen,the DP cells can be differentiated into CD8SP cells by stimulating thecells with the antigen itself or antigen presenting cells that presentsaid antigen. Similarly, when DP cells express a CAR, the DP cells canbe differentiated into CD8SP cells by stimulating the cells with theantigen recognized by the CAR, for example, by adding the solubleantigen into the cell culture, by adding beads coated with the antigeninto the cell culture, or by co-culturing the DP cells with cells thatexpressing the antigen.

Almost all of the CD8SP cells differentiated from the enriched DP cellculture by directly activating any one of the activation pathways whichoccur upon stimulation of the T cell receptor are CD8αβ type T cells,i.e. T cells expressing CD8αβ heterodimer. As revealed by the referenceexample 2 shown below, when a cell culture comprising DN cells and DPcells is subjected to the differentiation under the presence of anti-CD3antibody without enriching the DP cells, almost all of the obtainedcells were CD8αα homodimer. The CD8αα homodimer type T cells exert arelatively low antigen specific cytotoxic activity while a relativelyhigh NK cell-like killing activity.

In another embodiment of the present application, the cell culturecomprising both DN cells and DP cells may be differentiated by culturingthe cells with the stimulation of anti-CD3 antibody in the presence of asubstance that inhibits cytotoxic activity of the DN cells, withoutremoving the DN cells. Examples of substances that inhibit cytotoxicactivity of the DN cells may be a perforin inhibitor, a granzymeinhibitor, a Fas pathway inhibitor, a caspase inhibitor, and aninhibitory antibody against Natural Killer activating receptor.

The CD8SP cells differentiated from pluripotent stem cells bearingrearranged genes encoding the TCR or the CAR according to the methoddisclosed herein exert a potent cytotoxic activity. For example, whenT-iPS cells are established from a human CTL cell and then, the T-iPScells are differentiated into CD8SP cells (re-generated CTLs) throughthe step of enrichment of the DP cells, re-generated CTLS that exertantigen specific CTL activity comparative to that of the original CTLsfrom which the T-iPS cells were established can be prepared. Further,when pluripotent stem cells bearing rearranged genes encoding the TCR orthe CAR are used, the Rag1 or Rag2 gene in the pluripotent stem cellsmay be knocked out by genome editing before differentiating thepluripotent stem cells into T cells to prevent re-arrangement of the TCRor CAR genes (WO2016/010148). Methods for generating pluripotent stemcells bearing genes encoding a CAR which is specific for a givenantigen, and method for differentiating said pluripotent stem cells intoCAR-expressing T cells are taught in, for example, Themeli, M. et al.,Nat Biotechnol 31, 928-933 (2013) and Themeli, M. et al., Cell Stem Cell16, 357-366 (2015). The contents of those documents are hereinincorporated by reference.[0052]

In yet another embodiment of the present application, cytotoxic Tlymphocytes specific for a desired antigen may be obtained by expressingthe TCR gene with desired antigen specificity on the CD8SP cellsdifferentiated from pluripotent stem cells. In this embodiment, thepluripotent stem cells may have TCR or CAR genes, or may not have thosegenes. TCR genes specific for a desired antigen may be expressed in theCD8SP cells by a method similar to the method for expressing the TCRgenes specific for a desired antigen in the pluripotent stem cells. Uponexpressing said TCR, the endogenous TCR genes in the generated CD8SPcells may be suppressed by means of, for example, siRNA.

Alternatively, T cells bearing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specificfor a desired antigen (CAR-T cells) may be generated from the CD8SPcells. The CAR-expressing cells can be obtained by introducing genesencoding the CAR into the CD8SP cells.

The antigen specific CTLs prepared according to the method providedherein may be proliferated by a known method, for example by stimulatingthe cells with the antigen itself or antigen presenting cells thatpresent said antigen, or with anti-CD3 antibody before use.

There are a lot of cancer relating proteins that are expressed in avariety of cancers including LMP2, WT1 and NY-ESO1. Epitope peptides ofthose proteins are also known to the art as cancer antigen peptides andmay be used in the method of this application. In addition, many genesencoding TCRs specific for various cancer antigens are also known to theart. By the method of the present application, it becomes possible toobtain a cell population containing high quality CD8SP cells havingcytotoxic activity specific for a given cancer antigen with high purity,which is useful in the cell-based immunotherapy.

As shown by the examples provided in this application, therapeuticeffect of the CD8SP cells obtained by the method in a humantumor-inoculated mouse model was confirmed. In addition, in the miceadministered with the re-generated CD8SP cells, no damage in tissuesother than the tumor was observed and no adverse effect was observed.Further, canceration of the in vivo administered cells was not observed.The re-generated cells prepared according to the method of the presentapplication are expected to be used in a cell-based immunotherapy inwhich CTLs specific for a cancer or infections disease-specific antigenare administered to a patient. Both efficacy and safety points of view,The re-generated cells are considered to be close to clinicallyapplicable.

According to this application, T cell products for use inimmunotherapies targeting various antigens can be provided. For example,cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) specific for a given antigen can beinduced from cells of a healthy volunteer, T-iPS cells can beestablished from the CTLs, and CD8SP cells can be re-generated from theT-iPS cells. The function of thus re-generated CD8SP cells may beconfirmed and then, the T-iPS cells may be stored to create a T-iPSbank. Alternatively, the re-generated CD8SP cells may be proliferatedand stored in aliquots.

The HLA of the patient with a cancer expressing the target antigen maybe determined and HLA-matched T-iPS cells may be chosen from the T-iPScell bank. Then, CD8SP cells may be re-generated from the T-iPS cellsaccording to the method of the present application and used for thecell-based immunotherapy. Alternatively, suitable CD8SP cells may beselected from the stored re-generated cells. By the latter procedure, acell-based immunotherapy can be started more quickly.

In the cell-based immunotherapy method of the present application, theinduced CD8SP cells are dispersed in a suitable media such as saline orPBS and the dispersion may be administered to a patient having a certainmatching level of the HLA to the donor. The matching level of the donorand the patient may be complete match. When the donor is homozygous forHLA haplotype (hereinafter referred to as “HLA haplotype homo”) and thepatient is heterozygous for HLA haplotypes (hereinafter referred to as“HLA haplotype hetero”), one of the patient's HLA haplotypes shouldmatch the donor's homozygous HLA haplotype. The cells may beadministered intravenously. The amount of the cells to be administeredis not limited. Cells that have been differentiated into mature T cellsmay be intravenously administered once to several times in an amount of10⁶-10⁷ cells/kg body weight per administration.

A project to construct a versatile iPS cell bank is now in progress inJapan by using a human having a frequent HLA haplotype in homozygous asthe donor. See, CYRANOSKI, Nature vol. 488, 139(2012), which is hereinincorporated by reference. When CD8SP cells for the cell-basedimmunotherapy method are established according to the method of thepresent application, iPS cells which are induced from cells derived fromsuch donor homozygous for HLA haplotype are particularly preferablyused, as pluripotent stem cells.

The number of the cells to be administered is not limited and may bedetermined based on, for example, the age, sex, height and body weightof the patient and disease and conditions to be treated. The optimalcell number may be determined through clinical studies. T cells maytarget various antigens and therefore, the method of this applicationmay be applied for a cell-based immunotherapy against various diseasesincluding cancers, infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases andallergies.

Reference Example 1

Establishment of iPS Cells

Preparation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells, Auto LCL Cell Lineand CIR-A*24:02 Cell Line

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from a healthyvolunteer having HLA-A*24:02, and bone marrow mononuclear cells wereisolated from a leukemia patient according to the conventionalprocedure. The peripheral blood B lymphocytes were transformed withEpstein Barr virus (EBV) to give autologous B-lymphoblastoid cell line(auto). HLA-A*24:02 gene was introduced into human LCL cell line, C1Rcells to give C1R-A*24:02 cell line that expresses only HLA A*24:02.

Proliferation of LMP2 and WT1 Peptide Specific CTLs

PBMCs obtained from the healthy volunteer (2.5×10⁵ cells) were added toeach well of a 96-well round bottom plate and incubated in RPMI 1640medium added with 10% human AB serum (Sigma), penicillin (100U/mL)-streptomycin (100 μg/mL) mixed solution (Nacalaitesque) and 10μg/mL of a LMP2 specific synthetic peptide (TYGPVFMSL: SEQ ID No. 1) ora WT1 specific synthetic peptide (CYTWNQMNL: SEQ ID No. 2) (Eurofins)(Tsuboi, A et al. (2002) Cancer Immunol Immunother. 51, 614-620). Twodays after the incubation, recombinant IL-2, (12.5 U/ml) (Peprotech),IL-7 (10 ng/ml) (Peprotech) and IL-21 (30 ng/ml) (Peprotech) were addedto each well.

CD8 positive T cells containing antigen specific CTLs were isolated bymeans of the tetramer staining procedure. The isolated CD8 positivecells were co-cultured with HLA-A*24:02-positive LCLs previouslyincubated in the presence of 100 nM of the LMP2 or WT1-specificsynthetic peptide and irradiated. The cell mixture were incubated for 2days and then, added with the same concentration of IL-2, IL-7 and IL-21as above. CTLs were proliferated by stimulating the cells with the LCLsevery two weeks. Thus obtained CTLs are referred to as “Original CTLs”.

Establishment of LMPs or WT1 specific iPSCs.

Cancer antigen specific T-iPS cells were established according to aprotocol slightly modified from that disclosed in Non-patentliterature 1. Briefly, the cancer-antigen specific CTLs were enrichedwith CD8 micro beads (Milteny Biotec) or FACSAria III cell sorter (BDBiosciences). The enriched cancer antigen specific CTLs (1×10⁶ cells)were transfected with a Sendai virus vector bearing the four Yamanakafactors and SV40 large T antigen (LTa) (Addgene) (MOI MOI=3) (Nishimura,K. et al., (2011) J Biol Chem 286, 4760-4771). After spin infection, thetransformed cells were inoculated on the mouse embryonic fibroblast(MEF) feeder cells and incubated in a T-cell medium, i.e. RMPI-1640medium supplemented with IL-7 (10 ng/mL) and IL-21 (30 ng/mL). On day 2,a half of the medium was replaced with a medium for human iPS cells,i.e. Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium supplemented with 20% KnockOut™Serum Replacement (Gibco), non-essential amino acids (0.1 mM) Gibco),2-mercaptoetanol (blood supplement mM) (Nacalai Tesque) and basicfibroblast growth factor (5 ng/mL) (Wako). Colonies started to appear onthe 21st-35th day. Each of the colonies was picked up and proliferated.

Each one of T-iPS cell clones established from the LMP2 specific T cellsand from the WT1 specific CTLS was selected and was subjected to thefollowing experiments. Colonies are represented as “LMP2-T-iPS cells”and “WT1-T-iPS cells” respectively.

Induction of the T-iPS Cells into CD8SP Cells by a ConventionalProcedure

LMP-T-iPS cells obtained in Reference Example 1 were induced into Tcells according to the protocol taught in Non-Patent Literature 1. UntilDay 35 of the induction, the procedure was the same as Example 1 shownbelow. On day 35 of the induction, the cells were subjected to FACSanalysis. In the cell culture comprising the LMP2 antigen specific Tcells, the proportion of DP cells was 12.0% and that of DN cells was68.0% (FIG. 1). The cell culture was incubated under the stimulation ofanti CD3 antibody for 6 days to give a cell culture containing 68.9% ofCD8SP cells. The obtained CD8SP cells were specific for LMP2 tetramerand almost all were CD8αα homo-dimer type T cells (FIG. 2). Genesencoding TCR of the obtained cells were confirmed to be identical tothose of the original LMP2 specific CTL (Data not shown). Hereinafter,thus obtained cells are referred to as “Re-generated CTLs”.

The peptide-specific cytotoxic activities of the original LMP2 specificCTLs and the re-generated CTLs were determined using LMP2 peptide pulsedTHP1 cells, i.e. cells of a HLA A*24:02 positive human leukemia cellline. The CTLs and the leukemia cell line were mixed so that theEffector: Target (E:T) ratio is 0:1, 1:9, 1:3, 1:1, 3:1 and 9:1 and themixed cells were incubated at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere for 6 hours.Cytotoxic activities were evaluated based on the ratio of Annexin Vpositive cells. Results are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, thecytotoxic activities of both cells when ET ratio was 3:1 are shown inFIG. 5. The peptide specific cytotoxic activity of the re-generated CTLswas about 1/100 of the original CTLs.

In addition, the NK cell-like cytotoxic activity of the re-generatedCTLs against the K562 cells was evaluated. Result is shown in FIG. 6.The re-generated CTLs had confirmed to have a relatively high NKcell-like cytotoxic activity.

Example 1

LMP2-T-iPS cell clone obtained in reference example 1 was used. T cellswere re-generated from the T-iPS cells according to the procedureexplained in FIG. 7.

1) Differentiation from T-iPS cells into a cell population comprising DPcells and DN cells.

Media used are as follows:

TABLE 1 Medium A: for maintenance of OP9 stromal cells contents amountadded final conc. αMEM medium   500 mL FCS    125 mL 20%penicillin-streptomycin  6.25 mL  1% solution* Total 631.25 mL *Mixtureof Penicillin (10,000 U/ml) and Streptomycin (10,000 μg/ml). The finalconcentrations were 100 U/ml and 100 μg/ml, respectively.

TABLE 2 Medium B: for inducing differentiation of T cells No. 1 contentsamount added final conc. Medium A   50 mL hrIL-7 (stock: 10 μg/mL)   25μL 5 ng/mL hrFlT-3L (stock: 10 μg/mL)   25 μL 5 ng/mL hrSCF (stock: 10μg/mL)   25 μL 5 ng/mL Total 50.75 mL *Mixture of Penicillin (10,000U/ml) and Streptomycin (10,000 μg/ml). The final concentrations were 100U/ml and 100 μg/ml, respectively.

TABLE 3 Medium C: for inducing from immature T cells into mature T cellscontents amount added final conc. medium A   50 mL hrIL-7 (stock: 10μg/mL)   25 μL   5 ng/mL hrFlT-3L (stock: 10 μg/mL)  2.5 μL 0.5 ng/mLhrSCF (stock: 10 μg/mL)  2.5 μL 0.5 ng/mL Total 50.03 mL *Mixture ofPenicillin (10,000 U/ml) and Streptomycin (10,000 μg/ml). The finalconcentrations were 100 U/ml and 100 μg/ml, respectively.

Preparation of OP9 Cells

Five milliliters (5 mL) of 0.1% gelatin solution in PBS was added to a10 cm dish (Falcon) and incubated for 30 minutes at 37° C. OP9 stromalcells were detached from a confluent culture dish with trypsin/EDTAsolution and about ¼ of the obtained cells were added to thegelatin-coated 10 cm cell culture dish. 10 mL of medium A was added tothe cell culture dish.

Four days after, 10 mL of medium A was added to the dish (final amountwas 20 mL).

Preparation of OP9/DLL1 Cells in 24-Well Plate

OP9/DLL1 cells were detached from a confluent culture dish withtrypsin/EDTA solution and about ¼ of the obtained cells were suspendedin 12 mL of medium A and 0.5 mL of the suspension was seeded in eachwell of a 24-well plate. Two days after the seeding, the plate was usedas OP9/DLL1 cell culture plate.

Induction from T-iPS cells into hematopoietic progenitor cells.

iPS cell colonies were detached from the T-iPS cell culturing dish (6 cmdish) with a detaching solution and were mechanically fragmented tosmaller sizes by means of pipetting. The fragmented cell masses werethen centrifuged at 1200 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. The obtained pelletwas suspended in 10 mL of medium A. The fragmented iPS cell massesobtained from one 6 cm dish was seeded on the previously prepared OP9cell dish.

Day 1: (the Medium was Replaced)

Whether the iPS cell masses were adhered to the dish and started todifferentiate were confirmed. The cell culture medium was replaced with20 mL of fresh medium A.

Day 5: (a Half of the Medium was Replaced)

A half of the cell culture medium was replaced with 10 mL of freshmedium A.

Day 9: (a Half of the Medium was Replaced)

A half of the cell culture medium was replaced with 10 mL of freshmedium A.

Day 13: (Induced Mesodermal Cells were Transferred from OP9 Cell Layeronto OP9/DLL1 Cell Layer)

Cell culture medium was aspirated to remove and the surface of thecultured cells were washed with HBSS (⁺Mg⁺Ca) to washout the cellculture medium. 6 mL of Collagenase IV 250U in HBSS (+Mg+Ca) solutionwas added to the dish and incubated for 45 minutes at 37° C.

The collagenase solution was removed by aspiration and the cells werewashed with 10 mL of PBS(−). Then, 2 mL of 0.05% trypsin/EDTA solutionwas added to the dish and the dish was incubated for 25 minutes at 37°C. After the incubation, the sheet like cell aggregates peeled from thebottom of the dish and the cell aggregates were mechanically fragmentedto smaller sizes by means of pipetting. Thus treated cells were addedwith fresh medium A 8 mL and cultured for more 45 minutes at 37° C.

The culture medium containing the floating cells was passed through a 70μm mesh and the cells were collected. The cells were then centrifuged at1200 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. The obtained pellet was suspended in 10mL of medium B. One-fifth of the suspension was separated and used forthe FACS analysis. The remaining cell suspension was seeded to newdishes containing OP9/DLL1 cells. Cell suspensions obtained from severaldishes were pooled and the pooled cells were seeded to the same numberof new dishes.

In order to ascertain whethher or not hematopoietic progenitor cellswere contained in the obtained cells (FACS analysis was carried outusing anti-CD4 antibody and anti-CD 43 antibody. When a sufficientnumber of cells could be confirmed in the CD34lowCD43+ cell fraction, itwas determined that hematopoietic progenitor cells were induced (FIG.8).

Day 15: (Cells were Subcultured)

The cells loosely adhered to the OP9 cells were dissociated by gentlypipetting several times and collected in a 50 mL conical tube. The tubewas centrifuged at 1200 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. The pellet wasdispersed in 10 mL of medium B. Thus prepared cell suspension was seededon the freshly prepared OP9/DLL1 cells. Cell suspensions obtained from2-3 10 cm dishes were pooled in one dish.

Day 22: (Cells were subcultured) Blood cell colonies began to appear.

The cells loosely adhered to the OP9/DLL1 cells were dissociated bygently pipetting several times and collected in a 50 mL conical tube.The tube was centrifuged at 1200 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. The pelletwas dispersed in 10 mL of medium B and seeded on the freshly preparedOP9/DLL1 cells.

Day 29: (Cells were Subcultured)

The cells loosely adhered to the OP9/DLL1 cells were dissociated bygently pipetting several times and collected in a 50 mL conical tube.The tube was centrifuged at 1200 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. The pelletwas dispersed in 10 mL of medium C and seeded on the freshly preparedOP9/DLL1 cells.

Day 36: (Cells were Subcultured)

The cells loosely adhered to the OP9/DLL1 cells were dissociated bygently pipetting several times and collected in a 50 mL conical tube.The tube was centrifuged at 1200 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. The pelletwas dispersed in 10 mL of medium C and seeded on the freshly preparedOP9/DLL1 cells.

Enrichment of DP Cells (Removing DN Cells and CD8SP Cells)

The following media were used:

TABLE 4 MACS buffer final conc. PBS   50 mL BSA (stock: 10%)  500 μL(0.1%) Total 50.5 ml

TABLE 5 Medium D for differentiating into CD8SP cells final conc. mediumA 50 mL hrIL-7 (stock: 10 μg/ml) 25 μL  5 ng/mL hrIL-2 (stock: 10000U/ml) 50 μL 100 U/mL CD3Ab (stock: 1 mg/ml) 0.7 5 μL  15 ng/mL Total50.07575 mL

Day 40: Enrichment of DP Cells (Removing DN Cells and CD8SP Cells)

The cells loosely adhered to the OP9/DLL1 cells were dissociated bygently pipetting several times and collected in a 50 mL conical tube.The tube was centrifuged at 1200 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. The pelletwas dispersed in 180 μL of MACS buffer. Anti CD4 antibody-attached MACSbeads 20 μL were added and incubated for 15 minutes at 4° C. CD4positive cells were collected according to the MACS protocol using theMACS column. The CD4/CD8 patterns of the cells before and after theenrichment were analyzed by FACS. Results are shown in FIG. 9. Beforethe enrichment, 27.6% of DP cells, 51.8% of DN cells and 18.4% of CD8SPcells were contained in the culture and after the enrichment, a cellculture containing 96.3% of DP cells, 0.263% of DN cells and 0.072% ofCD8SP cells was obtained.

Induction of CD8αβSP Cells from Cells in the Enriched DP Cell Culture

The enriched DP cell culture was dispersed in medium D to give a cellsuspension at a final concentration of 5×10⁵ cells/mL. Medium in thepreviously prepared OP9/DLL1 cell culture dish was removed byaspiration, 1 m/well of the cell suspension was seeded on the OP9/DLL1cell layer and incubated for 6 days. After 6 days incubation, the cellswere collected and subjected to the FACS analysis. Results are shown inFIG. 10.

In the cell culture, the percentage of CDSP cells was 95.3%. The CD8SPcells were subjected to FACS analysis and confirmed that 87.5% of theobtained CD8SP cells were CD8αβ type T cells. Hereinafter, thus obtainedcells are referred to as “re-generated CD8αβSP cells”.

On the other hand, DN cells were also enriched on Day 40 to give a cellculture containing about 99% DN cells was obtained. The obtainedenriched DN cell culture was stimulated with anti CD3 antibody for 6days in the same manner as above. As a result, LMP2 tetramer positivecells, CD3 positive CD8SP cells were obtained. However, about 87% of theobtained CD8SP cells were CD8αα type T cells.

Proliferation of the re-generated CD8αβSP cells.

The re-generated CD8αβSP cells were proliferated by antigen presentingcells (APC) presenting the LMP2 antigen.

TABLE 6 ×2 medium E for proliferation into CD8SP cells final conc.medium A   50 mL hrIL-7 (stock: 10 μg/ml)   50 μL 10 ng/mL hrIL-21(stock: 10 μg/ml)   100 μL 20 ng/mL) Total 50.15 mL

Preparation of the Antigen Presenting Cells (APC)

The autologous LCLs were incubated in the presence of the LMP2 antigenpeptide: TYGPVFMSL (SEQ ID No.1) and used as APCs. LCLs were collectedfrom the culture bottle and irradiated at a dose of 50Gy. The cells werecentrifuged at 1200 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. The obtained pellet wasdispersed in medium A to give 5×10⁶ cells/ml cell suspension. Thepeptide was added to give the final concentrations of 10 nM and thecells were incubated for 2 hours at 37° C.

Stimulation of the Re-Generated CD8αβSP Cells with the APC

The peptide added LCLs prepared above were centrifuged at 1200 rpm for 5minutes at 4° C. The obtained pellet was dispersed in medium A to give4×10⁵ cells/ml cell suspension. The re-generated CD8αβSP cells were alsocentrifuged 1200 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. The obtained pellet ofre-generated CD8αβSP cells was dispersed in ×2 medium E to give a 1×10⁶cells/mL cell suspension. Each 0.5 ml of the peptide-stimulated LCLssuspension and the CD8αβSP cell suspension were co-cultured.

FACS patterns of the cells on day 14 of the co-culture are shown in FIG.11. From day 7, the medium was replaced with the freshly prepared mediumand the cells were proliferated by stimulating the cells every 7-14days. The experiments were 3 times and the proliferation curves areshown in FIG. 12.

The antigen specific cytotoxic activity of the re-generated CD8αβSPcells was tested in the same manner as Reference Example 2. Results areshown in FIG. 13. In addition, the cytotoxic activities at the E:T ratioof 3:1 of the CD8αβSP cells and the original CTLs were compared. Resultsare shown in FIG. 13. The regenerated CD8αβSP cells or regenerated CD8αβCTL cells exerted peptide specific cytotoxic activity comparative tothat of the original CTLs.

Reference Example 3

Co-Culture of the DP Cells and DN Cells

According to the same protocol as Example 1, cells of the LMP2-T-iPSclone obtained in reference example 1 were incubated until day 40. Theobtained cell culture was sorted into DP cells and DN cells. DP cellsand DN cells were labelled with Cell Trance Violet and CFSE,respectively. The purity of both DP cell population and DN cellpopulation were more than 99%. 3×10⁴ of the DP cells were mixed with DNcells to give DP:DN ratio of 1:0, 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3 and then, incubatedin the presence or absence of anti CD3 antibody for 5 hours. Thusobtained cells were stained with Annexin V and PI (Propidium Iodide) andthe Annexin V-negative and PI-negative cell fraction was determined asviable cells. Viable cells among the Violet positive cells, i.e. DPcells and viable cells among the DP cells at the start of the co-cultureare shown in FIG. 14. It was shown that the DN cells killed DP cellsunder the stimulation of anti CD3 antibody.

Example 2

WT1 Peptide Specific Cytotoxic Activity of WT1 Specific CD8SP Cells

Re-generated CD8SP cells were induced from the WT1-T-iPS cells obtainedin the reference example 1. On day 40 of the differentiation, anenriched DP cell culture containing 84.7% of DP cells was obtained. Theobtained enriched DP cell culture was stimulated by CD3 Ab to give acell culture containing the re-generated CD8SP cells. 89.2% of the CD8SPcells in thus obtained re-generated CD8SP cell culture were CD8αβ type Tcells. WT1 specific cytotoxic activity of the re-generated CD8SP cellswas evaluated.

C1R A*24:02 (human LCL cell line) was incubated under the presence ofvarious concentration of the WT1 peptide, CYTWNQMNL (SEQ ID No.2) for 2hours. C1R A*24:02 cells were collected from each culture and mixed withthe CD8SP cells to give E:T ratio of 0:1, 1:3, 1:1, 3:1 and 9:1. Thecell mixture was incubated for 6 hours at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere.After that, cytotoxic activity was determined by the ratio of Annexin Vpositive cells. Results are shown in FIG. 15.

The cytotoxic activity increased depending on the peptide concentrationand the cell number. The re-generated CD8SP cells were confirmed to haveWT1 antigen specific cytotoxic activity.

The cytotoxic activity of the re-generated CD8SP cells was compared withthat of the original WT1 specific CTLs. Results are shown in FIG. 16.The re-generated CD8SP cells exerted WT1 peptide specific cytotoxicactivity comparative to that of the original CTLs. In the followingExamples 3-5, the re-generated CD8SP cells are referred to as“re-generated CTLs”.

Example 3

TCR Specific Cytotoxic Activity of WT1 Specific CD8SP Cells (Vs LeukemiaCell Line)

Cytotoxic activities of the regenerated CTLs obtained in Example 2against WT1-expressing leukemia cells of leukemia cell lines thatendogenously express WT1 were evaluated.

HL60 and THP1 cell lines that endogenously express WT1 protein andderived from HLA A*24:02 positive patients were used to determine invitro cytotoxic activity of the re-generated CTLs. In order to confirmwhether the observed cytotoxic activity is TCR specific, cells from theleukemia cell line were previously incubated in the presence of 10 ng/mLof a HLA-1 inhibiting antibody (clone W6/32) for 1 hour and then,co-incubated with the re-generated CD8SP cells (negative control). Theregenerated CTLs and the leukemia cells were mixed so that the ratio is0:1, 1:3, 3:1 and 9:1 and incubated at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere for6 hours. The cytotoxic activities were determined based on the Annexin Vpositive cells. Results are shown in FIG. 17.

The cytotoxic activity increased in a cell number dependent manner forany leukemia cell line. On the other hand, the cytotoxic activity wasinhibited by HLA-1 inhibiting antibody. Based on the results, there-generated CTLs induced from WT1-T-iPS cells exert TCR specificcytotoxic activity against the endogenous WT1 antigen.

Example 4

TCR Specific Cytotoxic Activity of WT1 Specific CD8SP Cells (Vs PrimaryLeukemia Cell Culture)

Cytotoxic activity of the regenerated CTLs obtained in Example 2 againstprimary culture of leukemia cells associated with high WT1 expressionderived from a HLA A*24:02 positive patient in the same manner asExample 3. In order to confirm whether the observed cytotoxic activityis TCR specific, cells from the leukemia cell line were previouslyincubated in the presence of 10 ng/mL of a HLA-1 inhibiting antibody(clone W6/32) for 1 hour and then, co-incubated with the re-generatedCD8SP cells (negative control). As primary leukemia cells, three typesof leukemia cells associated with high WT1 expression were used. Theregenerated CTLs and the leukemia cells were mixed so that the ratio is0:1, 1:3, 3:1 and 9:1 and incubated at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere for6 hours. The cytotoxic activities were determined based on the Annexin Vpositive cells. Results are shown in FIG. 18.

The cytotoxic activity increased in a cell number dependent manner forany leukemia cells. On the other hand, the cytotoxic activity wasinhibited by HLA-1 inhibiting antibody. Based on the results, there-generated CTLs induced from WT1-T-iPS cells exert TCR specificcytotoxic activity against the primary leukemia cells derived from apatient.

Example 5

The Function of the Re-Generated CTLs Evaluated In Vivo Using a MiceHeterograft System

The outline of the procedures of this example is shown in FIG. 19.Immunodeficient mice NOD.Cg-Prkdcscid Il2rgtm1Sug/Jic (NOG) purchasedfrom Central Institute for Experimental Animals (Kawasaki, Japan) wereused. 2×10⁴ cells of WT1 highly expressing, HLA A*24:02-positive andCD3-positive human leukemia cell line HL60 were suspended in PBS andintraperitoneally inoculated to the mice (Day 0). On Day 1, 8, 15 and22, PBS (control) or the re-generated CD8SP cells (re-generated CTLs)5×10⁶ cells per administration were intraperitoneally administered tothe mice. The experiments were conducted with 5 animals per group. Inorder to keep the SD8SP cells alive, IL-2 and IL-7 wereintraperitoneally administered for 3 times per week for 4 weeks. Theperipheral blood was collected on day 37 and day 57 and the presence ofthe tumor cells or CD33 positive cells as well as the re-generated CTLsor CD8 positive cells in the peripheral blood were confirmed. Inaddition, the survival time of the mice were confirmed. Results areshown FIGS. 20 and 21.

As shown in FIG. 20, tumor cells were observed in the peripheral bloodof the control mouse received with PBS while no CD8 T cell was observedin the peripheral blood of the control mouse. On the other hand,transfer of the CD8 T cells in the blood was confirmed in the micereceived with the re-generated CTLs while no tumor cell was observed inthe peripheral blood. The survival time of the mice received with there-generated CTLs were significantly longer than the control mice.

After the experiment was completed, all mice were dissected to examinethe damage of the tissue. In the mice received with the re-generatedCTLs, no tissue damage was observed.

Example 6

Induction of CD8SP Cells from WT1-Peptide Specific TCR-iPS Cells

Establishment of iPS Cells into which WT1 Antigen Specific TCR isIntroduced

The original iPS cells used here were iPS cells established frommononuclear cells having a HLA haplotype that is second most frequent inJapanese people in homozygous prepared in Department of Immunology,Institute for Frontier Medicinal Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto,Japan.

The iPS cells bearing the WT1 peptide specific TCR genes were preparedby the protocol disclosed in WO2016/010154. The WT1 peptide specific TCRgenes, as used herein, were cloned from the regenerated WT1 specificCTLs described in Example 2. Hereinafter, the introduced TCR is referredto as “WT1-TCR”.

1) Preparation of WT1-TCR-Containing Lentiviral Vector

CS-UbC-RfA-IRES2-Venus vector was obtained from Subteam for Manipulationof Cell Fate, RIKEN BioResource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. WT-TCRgenes were incorporated in the vector with the Gateway system to giveCS-UbC-RfA-IRES2-Venus/WT1-TCR.

2) Obtaining Supernatant of WT1-TCR-Incorporated Lentivirus

CS-UbC-RfA-IRES2-Venus/WT1-TCR was introduced into LentiX-293T packagingcells with X-treamGENE9 (Roche). The medium was exchanged on the nextday and on day 2, the culture supernatant was collected and used aslentiviral supernatant.

3) Establishment of WT1-TCR transduced T-iPS cells iPS cells weretreated with Tryp LE Select (Life Technologies) to give completelysingle-cell suspension. The suspension was centrifuged and the pelletwas dispersed by the lentiviral supernatant, and then, the obtainedsuspension was centrifuged at 3000 rpm at 30° C. for one hour so thatthe iPS cells were infected and the WT1-TCR was introduced into the iPScells.

After the infection, the cells were suspended in the medium for iPScells and seeded on the feeder cells. The iPS cells in which WT1-TCR wasintroduced (WT1-TCR-iPS cells) were fluoroscopically selected on thebasis of expression of Venus protein included in the vector. Clones wereestablished independently from the selected cells. One of those cloneswas selected and subjected to the experiments shown below. Hereinafter,iPS cells obtained by introducing TCR are referred to as “TCR-iPS cells.

Thus obtained TCR-iPS cells were differentiated in the same manner asExample 1 (FIG. 7) to give a cell culture comprising DP cells and DNcells (FIG. 22). The cell culture contained 79.1% of DP cells, 12.0% ofDN cells and 6.6% of CD8SP cells. DP cells were enriched by using MACSbeads. The enriched DP cell culture was induced into CD8 SP cells in thesame manner as Example 1 with the exception for using medium D′ insteadof Medium D.

TABLE 7 Medium D′ for differentiating into CD8SP cells final conc.medium A 50 mL hrIL-7 (stock: 10 μg/ml) 25 μL  5 ng/mL hrIL-2 (stock:10000 U/ml) 50 μL 100 U/mL CD3Ab (stock: 1 mg/ml) 3 μL  60 ng/mL Total50.078 mL

Namely, the enriched DP cell culture was dispersed in medium D′ to givea cell suspension at a final concentration of 5×10⁵ cells/mL. Medium inthe previously prepared OP9/DLL1 cell culture dish was removed byaspiration, 1 m/well of the cell suspension was seeded on the OP9/DLL1cell layer and incubated for 6 days. After 6 days incubation, the cellswere collected and subjected to the FACS analysis. Results are shown inFIG. 23.

In the cell culture, the percentage of CDSP cells was 87.86%. The CD8SPcells were subjected to FACS analysis and confirmed that 79.7% of theobtained CD8SP cells were CD8αβ type T cells.

The cytotoxic activities of the CTLs re-generated from TCR-iPS cells andof those re-generated from T-iPS cells described in Example 2 werecompared. Both CTLs expressed the same TCRs. In the manner as shown inFIG. 16, C1R A*24:02 (human LCL cell line) cells were incubated underthe presence of various concentration of the WT1 peptide, CYTWNQMNL (SEQID No.2) for 2 hours. C1R A*24:02 cells were collected from each cultureand mixed with the CD8SP cells to give E:T ratio of 3:1. The cellmixture was incubated for 6 hours at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere.After that, cytotoxic activity was determined by the ratio of Annexin Vpositive cells. Results are shown in FIG. 24. The CTLs re-generated fromTCR-iPS cells and those re-generated from T-iPS cells showed similarcytotoxic activities.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for inducing CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells,comprising the steps of: (1) differentiating pluripotent stem cells togive a cell culture comprising CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells and CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells,(2) differentiating the CD4+CD8⁺ T cells in the cell culture obtained in(1) into CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells under the presence of a substance thatinhibits cytotoxic activity of CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the substance that inhibits cytotoxic activity ofCD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells is selected from the group consisting of a perforininhibitor, a granzyme inhibitor, a Fas pathway inhibitor, a caspaseinhibitor, and an inhibitory antibody against Natural Killer activatingreceptor.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pluripotentstem cells are iPS cells.
 4. The method according to claim 3, whereinthe pluripotent stem cells are iPS cells homozygous for HLA haplotype.5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pluripotent stem cellsbear rearranged genes encoding a T cell receptor or a chimeric antigenreceptor specific for a desired antigen and CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells having acytotoxic activity specific for the antigen are induced.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the pluripotent stem cells bear rearrangedgenes encoding a T cell receptor specific for the desired antigen. 7.The method according to claim 6, wherein the pluripotent stem cells areT-iPS cells induced from human T cells bearing rearranged genes encodinga T cell receptor specific for the desired antigen.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 6, wherein the pluripotent stem cells are TCR-iPScells obtained by introducing rearranged genes encoding a T cellreceptor specific for the desired antigen into human T cells.
 9. Themethod according to claim 5, wherein the step of differentiatingCD4⁺CD8⁺ cells into CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells is performed by directly activatingany one of the activation pathways which occur upon stimulation of the Tcell receptor.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the step ofdifferentiating CD4⁺CD8⁺ cells into CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells is performed byusing anti-CD3 antibody.
 11. The method according to claim 9, whereinthe step of differentiating CD4⁺CD8⁺ cells into CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells isperformed by stimulating the cells with the desired antigen.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11, wherein the step of differentiatingCD4⁺CD8⁺ cells into CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells is performed by stimulating thecells with antigen presenting cells that present the desired antigen.13. The method according to claim 1, for establishment of CD4⁻CD8⁺ Tcells having a cytotoxic activity specific for the antigen, furthercomprising the step of introducing a T cell receptor or a chimericantigen receptor specific for the desired antigen into the inducedCD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells.
 14. The method according to claim 13, for introducinga T cell receptor specific for the desired antigen into the inducedCD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells.
 15. The method according to claim 5, furthercomprising the step of further proliferating the obtained CD4⁻CD8⁺ Tcells specific for the desired antigen.
 16. The method according to 15,wherein the step of further proliferating the obtained CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cellsis performed by directly activating any part of the activation pathwaywhich occurs on stimulating a T cell receptor.
 17. The method accordingto claim 15, wherein the step of further proliferating the obtainedCD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells is performed by using anti-CD3 antibody.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 15, wherein the step of further proliferating theobtained CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells is performed by stimulating the cells with thedesired antigen.
 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the stepof further proliferating the obtained CD4⁻CD8⁺ T cells is performed bystimulating the cells with antigen presenting cells that present thedesired antigen.